You might have heard that Vegans have lower body fat percentages on average than those who eat animal products, and it’s not hard to see why this might be true.
Plant based sources of protein are naturally low in saturated fat, contain no hormones, and offer high levels of the vitamins and minerals that support the body’s metabolism too.
With this in mind, it’s not surprising to hear that vegan protein powders are becoming increasingly popular as a weight loss aid among both vegans and non-vegans alike.
If you’re looking to lose some pounds, then substituting one meal a day with a vegan powder shake might just be the missing piece to your weight loss puzzle.
But navigating the world of weight loss can be overwhelming. While protein powders are well known for their use as a meal replacement when dieting, the vast number of brands, ingredients and marketing strategies can make the decision-making process a lengthy one.
Don’t worry, because I’ve got your back.
Below you’ll find some of the best vegan protein powders for weight loss available on the market today, making it easier for you to choose the perfect one for you.
Lyfe Fuel Daily Essentials Shake
Lyfe Fuel must have hit the balance with their recipe because this powder gets immensely positive reviews for its digestibility and flavor. I particularly like the smooth consistency and the fact that it mixes so well, even in just water – which is the sign of a great protein powder.
Since the pea protein in this (and so many other vegan protein powders) is infamously difficult to digest, the useful addition of digestive enzymes to help prevent any bloating or digestive issues is also a major plus point.
What We Didn’t Like
Containing both coconut sugar and stevia extracts, it may be a little too sweet for some people’s palates. It’s also a little on the pricey side, but it’s hard to ignore that it does contain premium quality superfood ingredients, helping to justify the extra dollars spent.
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Garden of Life Raw Organic Fit - High Protein for Weight Loss
Garden of Life is one of the most well-known brands in the natural product industry. Their Raw Organic Fit Vegan Nutritional Shake is specially formulated to help you lose weight and fight cravings, and with 28g of protein per 170 calories and 9g of fiber, it certainly looks good on paper.
It provides blood sugar management with natural ingredients such as Svetol Green Coffee Bean Extract – renowned for its glucose controlling properties – and Organic Ashwagandha to help manage stress cravings (because who doesn’t get those?).
All their ingredients are USDA certified organic, non-GMO verified and certified vegan. Furthermore, the fact that it’s also kosher certified, dairy-free and soy-free means it’s ideal for those who have any of these additional dietary requirements.
It comes in two sizes – a small 461g tub with approximately 10 servings, and a large 922g tub with about 20 servings. They also do sachet packs, which are perfect for on the go. There are four flavors available – original, chocolate, coffee and vanilla.
What We Liked
Living up to Garden of Life’s long-standing reputation, this product does exactly what it says. The high protein and fiber content keeps you full for a long time, meaning you don’t have to worry about when your next meal will come.
It has a smooth consistency, and the sweetness of this shake isn’t overpowering either, so it’s great for those who don’t enjoy the sickly sweetness that comes with a lot of weight-loss shakes.
What We Didn’t Like
While it’s tried and tested for its ability to curb hunger and support weight loss, the overall taste of the product gets very mixed reviews. It’s a little on the expensive side too so it may be out of some people’s price range.
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Orgain Organic Slim Plant Based Protein Powder
Orgain says their organic slim protein powder is ideal for busy professionals, moms, athletes and students who are looking for healthy, on-the-go nourishment. Each serving provides 20g of protein per 150 calories from pea, brown rice, and chia seed sources, with 5g of dietary fiber.
It contains matcha tea, green tea moringa, and cinnamon, which are all known for their blood glucose controlling properties. This helps you to feel full for longer, thanks to the absence of a sugar spike.
It also features probiotics to contribute towards gut health, and all their ingredients are USDA certified organic, non-GMO, Vegan, gluten free and soy free.
It comes in a small 462g tub with approximately 10 servings, and there are two flavors available – chocolate and vanilla bean.
What We Liked
Despite containing stevia, which is sometimes associated with an unpleasant aftertaste, this protein powder doesn’t leave any lingering tastes. It receives positive reviews for it overall flavor too, as well as having a smooth consistency.
Many have noted that this particular powder isn’t too chalky either, which is a common issue experienced with vegan protein powders and shakes.
What We Didn’t Like
While it does contain probiotics, there are no added digestive enzymes to aid in the digestion of the pea protein it contains. This isn’t a big deal, but it’s something to consider if you’ve had difficulty with digestion in the past, as it could cause bloating or stomach discomfort.
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Naturade Vegan Slim - High Protein Weight Loss Shake
Naturade’s dedication to natural products dates back to 1926, so it’s safe to say they have a bit of experience under their belt when it comes to nutritional supplements.
Their Vegan Slim High Protein Weight Loss Shake provides 25g of plant based protein per 180 calories, with 6g of fiber.
Contained within the ingredients is a weight loss and appetite control blend, including the South Asian fruit Garcinia Cambogia, which they’ve found to provide incredible support for weight loss from diet alone.
Additionally, one serving contains 20 vitamins and minerals, including iron, zinc, and B12, over 200mg of omega 3, and a digestive enzyme blend to aid nutrient absorption and gut health.
As well as being vegan, it’s also gluten free, soy free and stimulant free, making it suitable for a variety of dietary needs.
It comes in a large 728g pouch with approximately 14 servings, and there are two flavors available – chocolate and vanilla.
What We Liked
This protein powder gets good reviews for its taste, as well as its ability to get real weight loss results. It pairs well with fresh fruits to make a smoothie, and a great creamy consistency can be achieved in a blender.
What We Didn’t Like
Without a blender, the powder is a little harder to mix, meaning you might not get the consistency you’d ideally like. It also contains stevia, which is renowned for leaving an aftertaste, which may not be to some people’s liking.
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Ora Organic So Lean & So Clean Protein Powder
Ora take inspiration from Mother Nature herself, combining raw, organic and sustainably sourced ingredients to make their So Lean & So Clean protein powder. Each serving contains 21g of protein per 120 calories and 2g of fiber.
Kale, acai, blueberries, rice, pea, hemp, amaranth, flax, quinoa, and spirulina are among some of the impressive superfood ingredients that provide all-important vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, and magnesium.
The addition of digestive enzymes amylase, protease, cellulase, lactase and lipase helps your body to absorb these nutrients and effectively digest the protein. All of their whole food ingredients are USDA certified organic, non-GMO, gluten free, and soy free too.
Each 650g tub contains approximately 20 servings and comes in one flavor – chocolate.
What We Liked
As well as receiving incredibly positive reviews for flavor and taste, this protein powder has a smooth consistency too, without the chalkiness that is often found in other brands.
While this protein powder contains stevia, it doesn’t have much of the associated aftertaste and isn’t overly sweet. This makes it perfect for those who wish to add their own sweeteners or prefer their shakes to be less sweet.
What We Didn’t Like
While there aren’t all that many downsides to this protein powder, it is a little on the expensive side. But, like Lyfe Fuel’s protein powder, it contains some incredible superfood ingredients that help to justify the additional cost.
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Vega Protein and Greens (Plant Based)
Vega is paving the way as one of the most popular vegan protein powder brands. They focus on providing effortless nutrition from whole food ingredients, and their Protein & Greens powder is no exception.
Each serving provides 20g of plant based protein per 110 calories, with 2g of fiber, as well as a hefty dose of vital vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, calcium and iron.
The ingredients include nutrient-rich greens like spinach, kale, alfalfa grass and broccoli, which are perfect for those who feel they don’t get enough leafy greens in their current diet. As well as being non-GMO verified, and vegan certified, it’s also gluten-free and sugar-free.
It comes in three sizes – a small 526g tub with approximately 18 servings, a medium 614g tub with approximately 21 servings, and a large 760g tub with approximately 25 servings. There are five flavors available – natural, vanilla, chocolate, berry and tropical.
What We Liked
With the overwhelmingly positive reviews for taste, texture, and quality, it’s easy to see why Vega is among the upper echelons in the protein category. The fine consistency of the powder means that it mixes well into a smooth and enjoyable drink.
Many reviewers noticed an increase in their energy levels too, which is great news for those who are increasing the amount of exercise they’re doing as part of their weight loss plan.
What We Didn’t Like
While it gets good reviews for taste, the stevia content in this protein powder is too high for some. In addition to the apparent sweetness, there is a definite stevia aftertaste, which some people find unpleasant.
There’s also a lack of digestive enzymes or probiotics in this particular product, which is worth bearing in mind if you have problems with digestion.
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Genuine Health Fermented Vegan Proteins+
Genuine Health believes that the secret to a nourished body is a healthy gut. After all, your gut is responsible for getting the most out of what you eat, and without optimal gut health, you might be missing out on the nutrients your body needs. This is especially important when consuming fewer calories to lose weight.
The ingredients of their protein powder are fermented using non-dairy probiotics, to promote overall digestive health and improve the level of nutrient absorption that is possible. Each serving contains 15g of fermented plant based protein per 90 calories, as well as being a source of iron and calcium. All the ingredients are non-GMO, soy free and gluten free, and it doesn’t contain any sugar.
It comes in one size – a 525g tub with approximately 24 servings. There are three flavors available –unflavored, natural vanilla and chocolate.
What We Liked
The fermentation process used to produce this protein powder makes it a perfect alternative for those who have real difficulty finding a product that digests well and doesn’t make them bloat.
The fineness of the powder enables it to mix well without being gritty, and the fact that they offer an unflavored version means that it’s versatile and adaptable. If you want something that can be used in more than just smoothies and shakes, then this may be the product for you.
What We Didn’t Like
While it has its own unique benefits, this protein powder gets very mixed reviews for its taste and flavor. It’s very sweet, and while this is a plus point for some, it can be off-putting for those who don’t have a sweet tooth. As with some of the other brands in this article, it’s sweetened with stevia extract, so it’s best avoided by those who dread the infamous stevia aftertaste.
It also has fewer micronutrients than other brands available, so unless gut health is a major focus for you, it doesn’t work as well as a meal replacement as some of the other brands.
Check Price on AmazonWeight No More
By keeping you fuller for longer, vegan protein powders can be a great solution for those who are looking to lose some weight without the fear of feeling hungry.
From superfoods and B vitamins, to fermentation and probiotics, it’s clear that no matter what your dietary requirements and preferences may be, there’s a perfect protein powder out there for everyone.
For me, Lyfe Fuel’s Daily Essentials Shake steals the spotlight with its optimal protein to calorie ratio, great digestibility, superfood ingredients, and vital vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D, calcium, folic acid and B vitamins. You only have to take one look at the label to see the long list of nutritional benefits that this particular product offers.
But by choosing any of these powders, you’re avoiding the unhealthy fats, unnecessary hormones and hazardous antibiotics that come with the consumption of animal products, and ultimately helping yourself to lose weight and stay healthy.
I don’t know about you, but when you add in the fact that you’re not contributing to animal cruelty either, it sounds like a pretty good deal to me.